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Growing Up Wild

Exploring Nature with Young Children

Elementary, Middle

Description

Growing Up WILD is an early childhood education program that promotes a sense of wonder in children about nature and invites them to explore wildlife and the world around them.  Through a wide range of outdoor activities and nature-themed experiences, the resource aims to connect students to the flora and fauna that inhabit the places where they live and learn. Growing Up Wild provides an early foundation for developing positive impressions about wildlife by incorporating nature learning into the classroom.

Students will:

  • participate in movement and math activities to show how they think and feel about animals
  • go outside to observe ant behaviour and learn insect characteristics
  • learn about spiders and their webs
  • practice their observation skills by comparing leaves
  • observe grasshoppers, earthworms in their natural habitat
  • compare the lives of a wild and tame animal
  • learn about black bears and their diet
  • develop an awareness of trees and their inhabitants
  • learn about adaptations in wild animals
  • explore animal tracks
  • explore the life cycles of familiar wildlife
  • dissect an owl pellet
  • explore seeds as food for people and animals
  • explore the importance of water for people, plants and animals
  • create a field notebook
  • investigate a field study plot to observe plant and animal interactions
  • learn that using less is a way of sharing resources

Activities include a list of vocabulary words and necessary materials along with directions for any preparations. Most activities include an outdoor experience, language, math and literacy connections,  music and art projects ideas, extension activities and even a suggested theme-related snack to accompany each lesson.

Each activity provides read-aloud fiction and non-fiction recommendations to enhance the learning.

General Assessment

What skills does this resource explicitly teach?

  • How to conduct a simple field investigation
  • One activity models the scientific method
  • Analyzing data
  • The activities foster exploration and inquiry skills

Strengths

  • An excellent, easy to use resource!  Each lesson clearly states its learning objectives, describes the activity and identifies the materials needed and any advanced preparation required. 
  • The resource is well organized and visually appealing. 
  • The resource allows teachers to meet curriculum expectations through engaging and environmentally-focused learning activities. 
  • The activities and are highly age appropriate for K-3 students. 
  • The resource provides many outdoor, hands-on activities that offer authentic learning experiences.
  • Many opportunities for students to develop a sense of wonder about nature are included.
  • Opportunities are provided for children to experience the different elements of the outdoors—textures, sounds, tastes, smells, and sights. 
  • Material covered is highly relevant to the lives of learners.

Weaknesses

  • Does not include a well-developed action component.
  • Lacks opportunities for students to share their learning.
  • Does not include social/economic dimensions of the environmental theme.

Relevant Curriculum Units

The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.

  • Step 1Select a province
  • Alberta
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    • Kindergarten
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      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Music
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      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Comprehension: Text comprehension is supported through applying varied strategies and processes, and considering both particular contexts and universal themes
        • Text Forms and Structure: Identifying and applying text forms and structures improves understanding of content, literary style, and our rich language traditions
        • Writing: Ideas and information can be articulated accurately and imaginatively through the use of writing processes and an understanding of the author’s craft
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Patterns: Awareness of patterns supports problem solving in various situations.
      • Physical Education & Health
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Active Living: A healthy way of life includes regular practice of meaningful active livin
        • Movement Skill Development: A healthy way of life includes regular movement
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Earth Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions.
    • Grade 1
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      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Music
        • Visual Arts
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Comprehension: Text comprehension is supported through applying varied strategies and processes, and considering both particular contexts and universal themes.
        • Writing: Ideas and information can be articulated accurately and imaginatively through the use of writing processes and an understanding of the author’s craft
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Geometry: Shapes are defined and related by geometric attributes.
        • Patterns: Awareness of patterns supports problem solving in various situations
        • Statistics: The science of collecting, analyzing, visualizing, and interpreting data can inform understanding and decision making.
      • Physical Education & Health
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Movement Skill Development: Developing physical literacy through movement and active living supports well-being across a lifespan.
    • Grade 2
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      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Music
        • Visual Arts
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Comprehension: Text comprehension is supported through applying varied strategies and processes, and considering both particular contexts and universal themes
        • Writing: Ideas and information can be articulated accurately and imaginatively through the use of writing processes and an understanding of the author’s craft
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Geometry: Shapes are defined and related by geometric attributes
        • Number: Quantity is measured with numbers that enable counting, labelling, comparing, and operating.
        • Patterns: Awareness of patterns supports problem solving in various situation
        • Statistics: The science of collecting, analyzing, visualizing, and interpreting data can inform understanding and decision making
      • Physical Education & Health
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Movement Skill Development: A healthy way of life includes regular movement
    • Grade 3
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      • Arts
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        • Music
        • Visual Arts
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Writing: Ideas and information can be articulated accurately and imaginatively through the use of writing processes and an understanding of the author’s craft.
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Algebra: Equations express relationships between quantities
        • Geometry: Shapes are defined and related by geometric attributes.
        • Number: Quantity is measured with numbers that enable counting, labelling, comparing, and operating
        • Patterns: Awareness of patterns supports problem solving in various situations.
        • Statistics: The science of collecting, analyzing, visualizing, and interpreting data can inform understanding and decision making.
      • Physical Education & Health
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Movement Skill Development:Developing physical literacy through movement and active living supports well-being across a lifespan.
  • British Columbia
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    • Kindergarten
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      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Numbers represent quantities that can be decomposed into smaller parts.
        • Objects have attributes that can be described, measured, and compared.
        • Repeating elements in patterns can be identified
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science: Plants and animals have observable features
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
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        • Arts Education: Dance, drama, music, and visual arts express meaning in unique ways
        • Arts Education: Engagement in the arts creates opportunities for inquiry through purposeful play
        • Arts Education: People connect to others and share ideas through the arts.
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Objects and shapes have attributes that can be described, measured, and compared.
        • Repeating elements in patterns can be identified
      • Physical Education & Health
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Physical Education and Health Education:Daily physical activity helps us develop movement skills and physical literacy, and is an important part of healthy living.
      • Science
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        • Science 1: Living things have features and behaviours that help them survive in their environment
    • Grade 2
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        • Arts Education: Dance, drama, music, and visual arts are each unique languages for creating and communicating.
      • Math
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        • Concrete items can be represented, compared, and interpreted pictorially in graphs.
        • Objects and shapes have attributes that can be described, measured, and compare
        • The regular change in increasing patterns can be identified and used to make generalizations
      • Physical Education & Health
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Physical and Health Education: Daily participation in physical activity at moderate to vigorous intensity levels benefits all aspects of our well-being
      • Science
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        • Science 2: Living things have life cycles adapted to their environment
    • Grade 3
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      • Arts
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        • Arts Education: Creative experiences involve an interplay between exploration, inquiry, and purposeful choice.
        • Arts Education: Dance, drama, music, and visual arts are each unique languages for creating and communicating
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Regular increases and decreases in patterns can be identified and used to make generalizations
        • Standard unitsare used to describe, measure, and compare attributes of objects’ shapes
        • The likelihood of possible outcomes can be examined, compared, and interpreted
      • Physical Education & Health
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Physical and Health Education: Daily participation in physical activity at moderate to vigorous intensity levels benefits all aspects of our well-being.
    • Grade 4
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      • Physical Education & Health
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        • Physical and Health Education: Daily participation in physical activity at moderate to vigorous intensity levels benefits all aspects of our well-being
  • Manitoba
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        • Arts: Music
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        • Patterns & Relations
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        • Physical Education and Health: Movement
      • Science
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        • Trees
    • Grade 1
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        • Patterns & Relations
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        • Characteristics and Needs of Living Things
        • The Senses
    • Grade 2
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        • Patterns & Relations
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        • Physical Education and Health: Movement
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Growth and Changes in Animals
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
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        • Arts: Music
        • Visual Arts
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        • Language as Exploration and Design
        • Language as Power and Agency
        • Language as Sense Making
      • Math
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        • Patterns & Relations
        • Shape & Space
        • Statistics & Probability
      • Physical Education & Health
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        • Physical Education and Health: Movement
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Growth and Changes in Plants
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
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        • Arts: Music
        • Visual Arts
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Language as Power and Agency
    • Grade 5
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      • Arts
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        • Arts: Music
      • English/Language Arts
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        • Language as Power and Agency
    • Grade 6
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      • Arts
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        • Arts: Music
    • Grade 7
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      • Arts
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        • Arts: Music
    • Grade 8
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      • Arts
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        • Arts: Music
  • New Brunswick
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    • Kindergarten
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      • English/Language Arts
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        • Interaction
        • Reading
        • Representation
      • Health Education
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        • Explore Your World: Diversity and Social Responsibility
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        • Physical Education: Skills and Concepts
      • Science
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        • Explore Your World: Diversity and Social Responsibility
      • Social Studies
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        • Explore Your World: Diversity and Social Responsibility
      • Visual Art
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        • Communicate
    • Grade 1
    • Grade 2
    • Grade 3
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        • Interactions
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        • Representations
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        • Patterns and Relations
        • Shape and Space
        • Statistics and Probability
      • Physical Education
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        • Skills and Concepts
      • Visual Art
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Communicate
  • Newfoundland & Labrador
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    • Kindergarten
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      • English/Language Arts
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        • Reading & Viewing
        • Speaking & Listening
        • Writing & Representing
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        • Patterns and Relations
        • Shape and Space
      • Physical Education
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Physical Education: Course Outcoms
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
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        • Arts: Creating, Making, and Presenting
      • English/Language Arts
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        • Reading & Viewing
        • Speaking & Listening
        • Writing & Representing
      • Physical Education
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Physical Education: In Movement
        • Physical Education: Through Movement
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Materials, Objects & Our Senses
        • Needs and Characteristics of Living Things
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
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        • Arts: Creating, Making, and Presenting
      • English/Language Arts
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        • Reading & Viewing
        • Speaking & Listening
        • Writing & Representing
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Patterns & Relations
        • Shape & Space
        • Statistics & Probability
      • Physical Education
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Physical Education: About Movement
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Animal Growth and Changes
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
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        • Reading & Viewing
        • Speaking & Listening
        • Writing & Other Ways of Representing
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Patterns and Relations
        • Shape & Space
        • Statistics & Probability
      • Physical Education
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Physical Education: In Movement
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Plant Growth & Changes
  • Northwest Territories
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
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      • English/Language Arts
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        • Access and Explore
        • Clarify and Enhance
        • Comprehend and Respond
        • Plan, Focus, Interpret & Analyse
      • Math
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        • Patterns & Relations
        • Shape & Space
      • Physical Education
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Physical Education: Activity
        • Physical Educaton: Do It Daily For Life
        • Physical Educaton: Health Benefits
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education 1: Music
        • Arts Education 1: Visual Art
      • English/Language Arts
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        • Access and Explore
        • Comprehend and Respond
        • Plan, Focus, Interpret & Analyse
      • Math
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        • Patterns & Relations
        • Shape & Space
        • Statistics & Probability (Data Analysis)
      • Physical Education
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Physical Education: Activity
        • Physical Education: Benefits Health
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education 2 : Visual Art
        • Arts Education 2: Music
      • English/Language Arts
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        • Access and Explore
        • Clarify and Enhance
        • Plan, Focus, Interpret & Analyse
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Patterns & Relations
        • Shape & Space
        • Statistics & Probability
      • Physical Education
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Physical Education: Benefits Health
        • Physical Education: Physical Education: Activity
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Life Science: Growth and Changes in Animals
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education 3: Music
        • Arts Education 3: Visual Art
      • English/Language Arts
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        • Access and Explore
        • Comprehend and Respond
        • Interpret & Analyse
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Patterns & Relations
        • Shape & Space
        • Statistics & Probability
      • Physical Education
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Physical Education: Activity
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Physical Education & Health
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Physical and Health Education: Daily participation in physical activity at moderate to vigorous intensity levels benefits all aspects of our well-being
  • Nova Scotia
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Primary: Listening and Speaking
        • Primary: Reading and Viewing
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      • Math
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        • Geometry
        • Patterns and Relations
      • Physical Education
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Physical Education Primary
    • Grade 1
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      • English/Language Arts
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        • Listening and Speaking
        • Reading and Viewing
        • Writing and Representing
      • Math
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        • Geometry
        • Patterns & Relations
      • Physical Education
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        • Physical Education 1
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 1: Needs of Living Things
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
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        • Listening and Speaking
        • Reading and Viewing
        • Writing and Representing
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Mathematics 2: Geometry
        • Mathematics 2: Patterns & Relations
        • Mathematics 2: Statistics and Probability
      • Physical Education
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Physical Education 2
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 2: Animal Growth
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
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        • Listening and Speaking
        • Reading and Viewing
        • Writing and Representing
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Mathematics 3: Geometry
        • Mathematics 3: Patterns and Relations
        • Mathematics 3: Statistics and Probability
      • Physical Education
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Physical Education 3
    • Grade 4
  • Nunavut
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Access and Explore
        • Clarify and Enhance
        • Comprehend and Respond
        • Plan, Focus, Interpret & Analyse
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Patterns & Relations
      • Physical Education
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Physical Education: Movement
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Access and Explore
        • Comprehend and Respond
        • Plan, Focus, Interpret & Analyse
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Patterns & Relations
        • Shape & Space
      • Physical Education
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Physical Education: Movement
      • Physical Education & Health
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Physical Education and Health: Movement
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Access and Explore
        • Clarify and Enhance
        • Plan, Focus, Interpret & Analyse
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Patterns & Relations
        • Shape & Space
        • Statistics & Probability
      • Physical Education
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Physical Education: Movement
      • Physical Education & Health
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Physical Education and Health: Movement
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
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        • Arts Education 3 : Creative/Productive
        • Arts Education 3: Cultural/Historical
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Access and Explore
        • Comprehend and Respond
        • Interpret & Analyse
      • Physical Education
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Physical Education: Movement
      • Physical Education & Health
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Physical Education and Health: Movement
  • Ontario
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
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      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Literacy Behaviours: Overall Expectations
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Mathematic Behaviours: Overall Expectations
      • Science & Technology
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Problem Solving and Innovating: Overall Expectations
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts: Music
        • Arts: Visual Arts
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Language: Oral Communication
        • Language: Reading
        • Language: Writing
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Algebra
        • Data
        • Spatial Sense
      • Science & Technology
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Life Systems: Needs and Characteristics of Living Things
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts: Music
        • Arts: Visual Arts
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Language: Oral Communication
        • Language: Reading
        • Language: Writing
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Algebra
        • Data
        • Number
        • Spatial Sense
      • Science & Technology
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Earth and Space Systems: Air & Water in the Environment
        • Life Systems: Growth & Changes in Animals
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts: Music
        • Arts: Visual Arts
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Language: Oral Communication
        • Language: Reading
        • Language: Writing
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Algebra
        • Data
        • Number
        • Spatial Sense
      • Science & Technology
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Life Systems: Growth & Changes in Plants
  • Prince Edward Island
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts: Creative Development
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Oral Language
        • Reading and Viewing
        • Writing and Representing
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Exploring the World Using Our Senses
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Reading and Viewing
        • Speaking and Listening
        • Writing and Other Ways of Representing
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Patterns and Relationships
        • Shape and Space
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Materials, Objects and Our Senses
        • Needs and Characteristics of Living Things
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Reading and Viewing
        • Speaking and Listening
        • Writing and Other Ways of Representing
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Patterns and Relations
        • Shape and Space
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Animal Growth and Changes:Investigating the Needs and Life Cycles of an Organism
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Patterns and Relations
        • Shape and Space
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Plant Growth & Changes
  • Quebec
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts: Visual Arts: To produce media works in the visual arts
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • To represent her/his literacy in different media
        • To use Language to communicate and learn
        • To write self - expressive narrative and information -
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Geometry
        • Measurement
        • Statistics & Probability
      • Physical Education & Health
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Physical Education and Health: To perform movement skills in different physical activity settings
      • Science & Technology
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Living things
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts: Visual Arts:To produce individual works in the visual arts
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • To read and Listen to Literary, Popular and Information -based texts
        • To use Language to communicate and learn
        • To write self - expressive narrative and information -
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Geometry
        • Measurement
        • Statistics & Probability
      • Physical Education & Health
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Physical Education and Health: To perform movement skills in different physical activity settings
      • Science & Technology
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Living things
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts: Visual Arts: To produce individual works in the visual arts
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • To use Language to communicate and learn
        • To write self - expressive narrative and information -
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Geometry: Geometric Figures and Spatial Sense
        • Measurement: Estimating and Measuring
        • Statistics & Probability
      • Physical Education & Health
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Physical Education and Health: To perform movement skills in different physical activity settings
      • Science & Technology
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Living Things
  • Saskatchewan
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Compose and Create
        • Comprehend and Respond
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Patterns and Relations
        • Shape and Space
      • Physical Education
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Physical Education: Active Living
        • Physical Education: Skillful Movement
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts 1: Critical/Responsive
        • Arts Education 1: Creative/Productive
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Compose and Create
        • Comprehend and Respond
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Patterns and Relations
        • Shape and Space
      • Physical Education
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Physical Education 1: Active Living
        • Physical Education 1: Physical Education: Skillful Movement
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Needs & Characteristics of Living Things
        • Using Objects and Materials
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education 2: Creative/Productive
        • Arts Education 2: Critical/Responsive
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Compose and Create
        • Comprehend and Respond
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Patterns and Relations
        • Shape and Space
        • Statistics and Probability
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Animal Growth and Changes
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education 3: Cultural/Historical
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Compose and Create
        • Comprehend and Respond
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Patterns & Relations
        • Space and Shape
        • Statistics & Probability
      • Physical Education
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Physical Education 3: Active Living
        • Physical Education 3: Skillful Movement
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Plant Growth and Changes
  • Yukon Territory
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Kindergarten
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Numbers represent quantities that can be decomposed into smaller parts.
        • Objects have attributes that can be described, measured, and compared.
        • Repeating elements in patterns can be identified
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science: Plants and animals have observable features
    • Grade 1
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education: Dance, drama, music, and visual arts express meaning in unique ways
        • Arts Education: Engagement in the arts creates opportunities for inquiry through purposeful play
        • Arts Education: People connect to others and share ideas through the arts.
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Objects and shapes have attributes that can be described, measured, and compared.
        • Repeating elements in patterns can be identified
      • Physical Education & Health
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Physical Education and Health Education:Daily physical activity helps us develop movement skills and physical literacy, and is an important part of healthy living.
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 1: Living things have features and behaviours that help them survive in their environment
    • Grade 2
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education: Dance, drama, music, and visual arts are each unique languages for creating and communicating.
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Concrete items can be represented, compared, and interpreted pictorially in graphs.
        • Objects and shapes have attributes that can be described, measured, and compare
        • The regular change in increasing patterns can be identified and used to make generalizations
      • Physical Education & Health
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Physical and Health Education: Daily participation in physical activity at moderate to vigorous intensity levels benefits all aspects of our well-being
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 2: Living things have life cycles adapted to their environment
    • Grade 3
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Arts Education: Creative experiences involve an interplay between exploration, inquiry, and purposeful choice.
        • Arts Education: Dance, drama, music, and visual arts are each unique languages for creating and communicating
      • Math
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Regular increases and decreases in patterns can be identified and used to make generalizations
        • Standard unitsare used to describe, measure, and compare attributes of objects’ shapes
        • The likelihood of possible outcomes can be examined, compared, and interpreted
      • Physical Education & Health
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Physical and Health Education: Daily participation in physical activity at moderate to vigorous intensity levels benefits all aspects of our well-being.
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Physical Education & Health
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Physical and Health Education: Daily participation in physical activity at moderate to vigorous intensity levels benefits all aspects of our well-being

Themes Addressed

Ecosystems (1)

  • Appreciating the Natural World

Sustainability Education Principles

Principle Rating Explanation
Consideration of Alternative Perspectives Very Good
  • The resource demonstrates how environmental education can be introduced to students at a very young age through the use of nature based activities. The outdoor activities allow the students to draw their own conclusions. The resource aims to help students become informed, responsible citizens who care about wildlife and the environment. Students are not influenced to any particular point of view.
Consideration of Alternative Perspectives:
  • Satisfactory: absence of bias towards any one point of view
  • Good: students consider different points of view regarding issues, problems discussed
  • Very good: based on the consideration of different views, students form opinions and  take an informed position
Multiple Dimensions of Problems & Solutions Satisfactory
  • The resource provides an early foundation for developing positive impressions about nature and lifelong social skills. The resource offers age-appropriate activities which help build a foundation that will allow for positive examination of issues and appropriate action later in life.
Multiple Dimensions of Problems & Solutions:

Effectively addresses the environmental, economic and social dimensions of the issue(s) being explored.

  • Satisfactory: resource supports the examination of  these dimensions
  • Good:  resource explicitly examines the interplay of these dimensions
  • Very Good:  a systems-thinking approach is encouraged to examine these three dimensions
Respects Complexity Good
  • The resource is learner-centered and provides students with opportunities to construct their own understanding through hands-on investigations. By participating in direct, age-appropriate experiences, the students are encouraged to become informed, responsible citizens who care about wildlife and the environment.
Respects Complexity:

The complexity of the problems/issues being discussed is respected.

Acting on Learning Satisfactory
  • Action opportunities are included as extensions and not integral to the core activities.
Acting on Learning:

Learning moves from understanding  issues  to working towards positive change — in personal lifestyle, in school, in the community,  or for the planet

  • Satisfactory: action opportunities are included as extensions 
  • Good: action opportunities are core components of the resource
  • Very Good: action opportunities for students are well supported and intended to result in observable, positive change
Values Education Satisfactory
  • Core activities include participation in movement and math activities to show how they think and feel about animals.
  • Teachers will need to address the other opportunites that exist within the resource for students to articulate their feelings.
Values Education:

Students are explicitly provided with opportunities to identify, clarify and express their own beliefs/values.

Empathy & Respect for Humans Poor/Not considered
  • Not considered in this resource.
Empathy & Respect for Humans: Empathy and respect are fostered for diverse groups of humans (including different genders, ethnic groups, sexual preferences, etc.).
Personal Affinity with Earth Very Good
  • All of the activities include a Take Me Outside section that encourages students to understand and build connections with their immediate surroundings. The activities encourage the students to get to know the sights, sounds, and smells of their own habitat. The students participate in direct activities with authentic materials such as sorting leaves, seeds, touching grasshoppers etc.
Personal Affinity with Earth:

Encourages a personal affinity with -the natural world.  

  • Satisfactory: connection is made to the natural world
  • Good: fosters appreciation/concern for the natural world
  • Very Good: fosters stewardship though practical and respectful experiences out-of-doors 
Locally-Focused Learning Very Good
  • The hands-on activities connect the students to their natural surroundings and help them become informed, responsible citizens who care about wildlife and the environment.
Locally-Focused Learning:

Includes learning experiences that take advantage of issues/elements within the local community. 

  • Satisfactory: learning is made relevant to the lives of the learners
  • Good: learning is made relevant and has a local focus
  • Very Good: learning is made relevant, local and takes place ‘outside’ , in the community 
Past, Present & Future Satisfactory
  • The resource promotes a positive vision for the future by starting children at a young age on their journey towards becoming environmentally responsive adults.
Past, Present & Future: Promotes an understanding of the past, a sense of the present, and a positive vision for the future.

Pedagogical Approaches

Principle Rating Explanation
Open-Ended Instruction Very Good
  • The resource includes both child-initiated and teacher-initiated learning experiences giving students opportunities to select among choices of activities. The lesson plans provide opportunities for individuals or small groups of students to learn through self-discovery and construct their own understanding through hands-on investigations. The use of open-ended questions is suggested.
Open-Ended Instruction :

Lessons are structured so that multiple/complex answers are possible; students are not steered toward one 'right' answer.

Integrated Learning Good
  • Science
  • Math
  • Art
  • Physical Education
  • Music
  • ELA
Integrated Learning:

Learning brings together content and skills  from more than one  subject area

  • Satisfactory: content from a number of different  subject areas is readily identifiable
  • Good:  resource is appropriate for use in more than one subject area
  • Very Good:  the lines between subjects are blurred 
Inquiry Learning Good
  • The students are provided with intriguing questions and materials that are organized in 'centers'. The centers provide age appropriate opportunities for students to learn through self-discovery- allowing them to direct their own exploration and come to their own conclusions.
Inquiry Learning:

Learning is directed by questions, problems, or challenges that students work to address.   

  • Satisfactory: Students are provided with questions/problems to solve and some direction on how to arrive at solutions.
  • Good: students, assisted by the teacher clarify the question(s) to ask and the process to follow to arrive at solutions.  Sometimes referred to as Guided Inquiry
  • Very Good:  students generate the questions and assume much of the responsibility for how to solve them.  . Sometimes referred to as self-directed learning.

 

Differentiated Instruction Good
  • Each activity presents a wide range of options which allows the students to work and learn at developmental levels that are individually appropriate. Teachers have the flexibility to modify activities to meet the needs of student’s different age levels and developmental stages. The activities are designed to accommodate all children.
Differentiated Instruction:

Activities address a range of student learning styles, abilities and readiness.

  • Satisfactory:  includes a variety of instructional approaches
  • Good: addresses  the needs of visual, auditory &  kinesthetic learners
  • Very Good: also includes strategies for learners with difficulties
Experiential Learning Very Good
  • The lesson plans provide opportunities for exploring, respecting, and experimenting in nature. Several of the activities involve the students directly exploring nature outdoors.
Experiential Learning:

Authentic learning experiences are provided

  • Satisfactory: learning takes place through ‘hands-on’ experience or simulation
  • Good: learning involves direct experience in a ‘real world context’
  • Very good: learning involves ‘real world experiences’ taking place’ beyond the school walls.
Cooperative Learning Satisfactory
  • The resource suggests a variety of teaching strategies such as small group work, whole group, centers, individual and partner activities.
Cooperative Learning:

Group and cooperative learning strategies are a priority.

  • Satisfactory:  students work in groups
  • Good: cooperative learning skills are explicitly taught and practiced
  • Very Good: cooperative learning skills are explicitly taught, practiced and assessed
Assessment & Evaluation Good
  • Each activity includes a 'Warm Up' to find out current understanding of concepts and a 'Wrap Up' for assessing what they have learned from the main activity. The teacher may choose to create additional open-ended questions to assess student understanding of concepts and skills. Many of the activities include authentic assessment opportunities in which the students perform real-world tasks that demonstrate their skill or knowledge. These include journaling, making field guides, graphing, taking digital photos, conducting interviews, creating artistic representations etc... In the Nature Notebooks students record their ideas and observations and create representations of wildlife.
Assessment & Evaluation: Tools are provided that help students and teachers to capture formative and summative information about students' learning and performance. These tools may include reflection questions, checklists, rubrics, etc.
Peer Teaching Satisfactory
  • Many activities encourage verbal descriptions and conversations about their experiences and their learning about nature.
Peer Teaching:

Provides opportunities for students to actively present their knowledge and skills to peers and/or act as teachers and mentors.

  • Satisfactory: incidental teaching that arises from cooperative learning, presentations, etc.
  • Good or Very Good: an opportunity is intentionally created to empower students to teach other students/community members. The audience is somehow reliant on the students' teaching (students are not simply ‘presenting')
Case Studies Poor/Not considered
  • Not considered in this resource.
Case Studies:

Relevant case studies are included.  Case studies are thorough descriptions of real events from real situations that students use to explore  concepts in an authentic context.

Locus of Control Good

The resource includes both child-initiated and teacher-initiated learning experiences giving students opportunities to select among choices of activities.

The resource features two sections with ideas to extend the learning:

  • the Home Connections section suggests fun activities that parents, guardians, and students can do together to extend the learning at home.
  • the Extension section provides ways for the teacher to continue to extend the learning about the topic or a related topic. The suggested extensions can be facilitated with the whole group or with smaller groups.
Locus of Control: Meaningful opportunities are provided for students to choose elements of program content, the medium in which they wish to work, and/or to go deeper into a chosen issue.

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